TMJ Therapy

The Ivory Dental Group in downtown Minneapolis offers custom plans for patients suffering from TMJ disorder.

TMJ Therapy

TMJ / TMD Symptoms

TMJ disorder ( called "TMD") often takes years to fully develop and can affect several muscles in the body. Most people struggle with TMD at least to some extent, however there are several symptoms that indicate a call for treatment.

Pounding headaches that feel like migraine headaches

Persistent face or jaw pain

Aching neck and shoulder muscles

Swollen jaw or face muscles

Toothaches, earaches and hearing problems

Limited ability to open

Misaligned bite

The Source Behind the Jaw Pain

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the point where the jaw and skull connect in a ball and socket hinge in front of each ear. Because this joint controls chewing, talking and biting, it is considered the most frequently used joint in the body. The end of the lower jaw fits into a socket in the skull, separated by a disk meant to absorb stress. TMD most commonly develops when the teeth do not fit together properly, resulting in malocclusion, or a bad bite. This strains the head muscles and consequently the temporomandibular joint, resulting in jaw, neck or shoulder pain and severe headaches. TMJ or TMD can additionally be caused by several factors:

Grinding or clenching teeth

Injuries to the head or face

Arthritis

Displacement of disc between jawbone and socket

Wear and tear on teeth

Bad bite

TMD Therapy

After an initial consultation, we design a specialized plan to realign the bite and teeth to their optimal location. This often requires the use of a Bite Guard. This is a thin acrylic upper guard which snaps over your teeth. This TMJ treatment approach offers a long-term solution to eliminate headaches, jaw pain and other symptoms of TMJ disorders.